Free The Search for Kä by Randall Garrett Page B

fruit for dessert. It had Shola’s expert touch, to be sure, but it was served by Yena and two other girls, who looked mainly at the dishes they carried, with an occasional sidelong glance at Tarani.
    Conversation was little more than sincere compliments to Shola on the quality of the meal, to which she responded with a smile and a nod. It seemed to me she was trying to imitate Tarani’s regal and composed manner, with little success. It was clear that, even had she worn the plainer, ill-fitting gown, Tarani would have outclassed Shola, and both of them knew it. Tarani proved it by being gracious but aloof, betraying none of her feelings. Shola proved it by projecting an air of resentment and defeat.
    Dharak and Thymas, at opposite ends of the largish table, sat with their shoulders hunched, their neck muscles tense, and said very little. They might have been sensing the undercurrents across the table—I was sitting at Dharak’s right with Tarani beside me and Shola across from me—and deliberately staying clear of them. They might have been caught up in their own tide of competition.
    One things sure
, I thought.
This meal is being wasted on this group. I’ll be very surprised if we don’t all get indigestion later.
    The meal finally ended, and the girls began clearing away the dessert dishes. It was the host’s place to suggest an after-dinner drink at this point, and it had been Shola’s habit to excuse herself from what was usually the “business end” of an evening such as this. I had thought that Tarani’s presence might change things, but Shola stood up to help the girls—whether out of habit or in eagerness to escape the tension in the room, I couldn’t say. I stood up with her, and she stopped in surprise.
    â€œPlease stay, Shola,” I said. “I have promised a full accounting of what has happened since I left Thagorn. I know Dharak would share it with you, later, but I prefer that you hear it from me.”
    She stared at me for a moment, then dropped her eyes. “As you wish, Captain,” she said.
    Dharak cleared his throat. “Perhaps, Captain, we would be more comfortable in the sitting room? Would you care for some barut?”
    â€œLater, perhaps, Lieutenant. For now, I feel the need of a clear head.”
    I walked around the table and offered Shola my arm. She took it with an air of surprise. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Thymas extend his hand to Tarani, who smiled, shook her head, and followed us on her own.
    Good for you
, I thought.

7
    When the others had found places in the large room—Tarani on a padded ledge, Shola and Dharak in free-standing chairs, Thymas on a fluffy rug in the corner—I found myself wondering how to start what I had to say.
    I’m the Captain
, I reminded myself.
If I want these people to communicate clearly, I guess I need to set an example.
    â€œThe Ra’ira is more than it seems,” I said.
    Thymas’s whole body jerked in surprise, and I turned to him.
    â€œThere will be no secrets among the people in this room, Thymas,” I said. “And there will be only honest answers to any question I may ask. Is that understood?”
    I looked around the room, and everyone nodded. Dharak looked grim, Shola a little frightened, Thymas angry but resigned. Tarani alone was totally composed, because she had expected something like this.
    â€œThymas, I know that you have told the Sharith very little about our time together—only enough to clear Tarani of blame, and assure them that our purpose was accomplished. I believe you kept silent because you felt the story—and the decision of how much to tell—was mine to make. Is that true?”
    â€œYes,” Thymas said.
    â€œI also think you kept silent because to tell the entire story would have been to reveal what you believe to be your own failure and disgrace. Is
that
true?”
    Thymas moved, crossing his legs,